Glossary

A misuse charge is a penalty imposed by the railroads for taking a unit out of one metro area and returning the unit to another metro area empty or loaded. For example, if a unit outgates in Detroit and ingates empty or loaded to Chicago, a misuse charge will occur. These charges are determined by participating railroads and can be changed at any time.

The transportation of freight under a single contract, but performed by more than one mode of transport. Intermodal transport is an example of multimodal transport.